Opinion

We go to college to get an education and to become better, more outstanding citizens that will one day go out into the world and do amazing things. Right? That’s always been the perception of what college is, but is it actually the truth?

If I am truly here to get the most out of my education, it should be my right to question, and sometimes even refute things that are told to me by professors and speakers. Meaning, this is no longer high school where I have to sit back and listen to the teacher talk about their opinions in fear that I will get sent to the principal’s office.

This is college where our minds and hopefully our belief system is expanded. It isn’t the time to just sit back and allow for unwanted opinions to fill our heads. If we truly want the most out of our education, we as adult-college students should have every right to maturely refute an argument made by a professor or speaker.

Take the guest lecturer for my Freshman year experience class for instance. Now, there may be some grunts and sighs that come along with this speaker for most of the freshman population, but to me the speaker is just an example as to how important our right is to speak up. It is as new college students to be able to voice our opinions without the fear that professors and guest speakers will try and discredit them because of our age.

After the guest speaker’s hour long lecture, there was a round table. Now, this wasn’t any other round table where the speaker and some students got to ask interesting and engaging questions.

In the entire hour, and in the mere six questions that were asked, there wasn’t much engaging and interesting discussion. Instead of listening and talking about what the students were saying, the speaker got extremely defensive and refused to hear any constructive criticism.

At the end of the round table, an argument between one student and the speaker had become heated quickly. This isn’t how it should be. As students and more importantly adults, everyone should be able to speak their opinion without being shut down by someone who is supposed to be an educator.

As an educator, it’s their duty to make sure that students are exposed to different opinions and viewpoints in order to think critically and make important decisions.

It only causes more problems when the speaker or educator isn’t willing to listen to what is said. We should be able to have a mature discussion with another adult.

What the speaker had to say in the lecture believe it or not, was hardly even brought up in class discussion. Rather, the way the speaker handled student’s opinions and comments on the ideals was the topic that could send any freshman year experience student in a tizzy. Sharing beliefs and comments on a certain topic is important to our education. It is the foundation to build strong, independent adults who will graduate with knowledge from all different perspectives.

My hope for the rest of my education and time is that I am challenged. Not only by my peers, but by my professors that will want to discuss important topics and want to hear my voice.